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June 21, 1911 ] THE!
Editorial 1
A bright brother, in supplementing his
church's report to Presbytery a few weeks ago,
remarked, "We have more people in the pews
than on the books." It is a sad fact that most
of our churches have very many more peoples'
names on their books than peoples' persons in
the pews. Ought this to be?
As advised by the General Assembly's Committee
on Systematic Beneficence, there are t.n
be held this summer two conferences of chairmen
and members of Synodical and Presb.vterial
Committees on Systematic Beneficence, one to
he held at Montreat, N. C., July 28-30, and the
other at Kerrville, Texas, at a date yet to be
determined.
The Red Springs Church, in North Carolina
wanted the next meeting of the General Assembly,
expecting to show it the place where
preachers' wives are trained, and proposing to
lodge and feed the entire body in the dormitories
and dining-hall of the Southern Presbyterian
College an<J Conservatory of Music, the
girls going out, as when Synod has met there,
to homes in the town. Please, Mr. Jopling, keep
that invitation alive until our time to go to
the Assembly!
Our able exchange, the Christian Advocate,
pertinently "wonders at time whether the 'big
meeting' idea is not sadly overworked. It is
evident that the spell of the spectacular is becoming
so strong as to hide from the eyes of
reason and faith the true sources of inspiration
and strength, and to narcotize that individuality
upon whose independent energies,
after all, must rest the responsibility of the
world's welfare."
We are attracted by the statement that "The
Open Bible and the Uplifted Cross" will be the
great theme that will be emphasised at each
session of the International Sunday School Convention
to be held in San Francisco June 20-27.
When the great principles herein expressed arc
wrought into the conviction and consciousness
of any Assembly there is assurance of spiritual
power, holy enthusiasm and effective testimony
that will bear fruit to the praise of his
glorious grace.
As an index to the growing evangelical spirit
3 J l i* 1 n " * ' *
hiiu HHiicuneu seu-reuance 01 a smaii minority
in the Church of England we quote this extract
from The Presbyterian of London relative to
the venerated Bishop of Hereford, who in
venturing "to take the first step in a new
movement in inviting his Non-conformist neighbors
and friends to join with his people in a
Communion service in the Cathedral on Coronation
Day, showed again, as so often before,
his large and gracious-hearfcedness, yet, as his
opponents aver, if every Bishop is going to
act on his own initiative, then there is an end
in episcopal unity, for there is no such thing
as 'godly discipline' for Bishops. Dr. Percival,
however, is impenitent; what he has said, he
has said, and he holds by it, and if the service
does take place we may be pretty certain of its
becoming a historical event of the greatest
magnitude."
Dr. James H. Snowden, editor of "The Presbyterian
Banner," was elected professor of theology
in two leading seminaries within the limits
of eight days. On April 27 he was elected to
this high position in McCormick Theological
PRESBYTERIAN OF THE S <
Votes and
Seminary in Chicago, and on May 4 to a similar
position in the Western Theological Seminary
in Pittsburg. The latter was a call to Dr. Snowden's
Alma Mater and was accepted by him.
The coincidence made these elections a specially
rare and high compliment, worthily bestowed.
What splendid sagacity was exhibited by these
seminaries in seeking an editor to keep them
siraigui m ineir tneoiogy!
If any one has a doubt about there being a
personal Devil of great astuteness and power,
let him note this fact: After missionaries have
gone among a heathen people, given them a
written language, taught them to read and believe
the Bible, taught them good morals, industry
and peacable pursuits, that land soon becomes
deluged with books and leaflets which
stand for infidelity, higher criticism, agnosticism
and other sources of anarchy and hostility
to righteousness. The Devil with an imperial
hand does this through his human agents who
are his willing allies in the enslavement of immortal
souls for time and their ruin for eternity.
T TIT-1 it
in wines me nonconrormists largely outnumber
the Church of England adherents, and in
Christian character and zeal for righteousness
outweigh them immensely. These Welshmen
have for years been clamoring for disestablishment.
They resent payment of taxes for the
support of an alien and hostile Church while
at the same time supporting their own churches
by voluntary contributions. The day of liberation
now seems to be near. Premier Asquith
recently received a delegation of representative
men who agreed to support the government's
proposed invasion and curtailment of the House
of Lords, provided Welsh disestablishment shall
be made the next number on the legislative program.
To this proposal the Premier heartily
agreed. The people of Wales have no sympathy
with either the past tactics or present practices
of the Church of England, and the prospect of
religious liberty lights up the horizon of the
future radiantly.
NOTES IN PASSING.
BY BERT.
In that interesting passage, the first eleven
verses of the fifth chapter of Luke where we
have the account of the great catch of fish
there are two or three suggestions which come
after a new study.
I had never noted before, though I have read
the passage many times, the record of the
second verse. "And saw two ships standing
by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out
of them, and were washing their nets." These
fishermen had been toiling all the previous
night and had taken nothing but mud, and
weeds, and the like, and now Jesus comes
along and tells them to cast these clean nets
back into the sea, which having been done
they get a large catch.
You notice the point; later along Jesus
says, "From henceforth thou shalt catch men."
Evidently intending they shall learn some lessons
flhniit nu tr>Vl I n r? Tintn
.j.iurU Hum Lii?fir present
experience. And jut element, in this exporience
was the clean net. We have been
stressing, and I think not unduly the obedience
of these disciples in doing what Christ
commanded, though it appeared so inadequate
after the heavy night. If we would be efficient
in this work for God and men, we must, not
only obey, but we must work with clean nets.
Pure hearts, clean hands, tactful, and care
)UTH (585) 9
Comments
fully selected words are necessary to the fisher
after souls. And the work is so important,
and the rewards so certain and large that we
ought not for a moment grudge whatever
preparation is necessary.
Fishing is legitimate and honorable work,
but the nets will get dirty. The fisherman
must often cast his net or line into unclean
water, and he sometimes gets an unclean bite.
The net must often be washed and sunned or
it will fail to get the fish. Those who have
done much for and with the unsaved know
the importance of often calling upon the Spirit
for renewal, and new cleansing that their
spirits may be kept sweet, and their faith
strong, and that they may be upheld in the
midst of manifold temptations. For strange
as it may seem, there is great danger that the
fishermen may step into the muddy waters out
of which he is rescuing others. Out of his
very success comes danger. Pride, self-glorification,
unkindly and ignorant judging of
others who may seem to be less expert, these
and many other sins lurk for the man who
thinks he has the least to dread.
Peter's replv in the fifth vprsp is t.n ho mi*
attitude in this evangelizing work. "Nevertheless
at thy work I will let down the net."
The age is materialistic, nevertheless I will
preach the truth; the enemies are many and
powerful and determined, nevertheless I will
proclaim my message; my business interests
will suffer if I obey the scriptures, nevertheless
I will obey; my social position will become
untenable if I come out and out for Christ,
nevertheless I will come out. Let the consequences
be what they may, and the apparent
chance of success as slim as it can be, nevertheless
Christ commands and I will do my part
and leave the result with Him. And the result
was that the catch was so great that both boats
were filled to the sinking point.
It was noted about the teachings of Jesus
that he "spake as one having authority." He
still does. There may have been something
in the tones of his voice, and his attitude,
which bore out this impression when he was
on earth. Hut now that we no longer hear nor
see him we feel the authority of his speech no
.rss thai, did they. Jesus Christ speaks with
compelling power to that which lies deepest
in man. He gets beneath the surface, beneath
all appearances, and make-believes, and desires
ar.d forces the heart to face itself and
be honest. There lies the secret of his authority.
He makes it utterly impossible for
one to be self-deceived. Christ calls up what
I really am and sets it beside what I want
the world to think I am, and it is beyond all
power at my command to avoid the contrast.
When Christ speaks the truth will come forth
out of any sepulchre into which I may have
thrust it. "With my lips I may deny his words,
but in my inmost soul I know I speak falsely.
And it is with my inmost soul he will deal
He speaks with authority, and my welfare depends
upon my acknowledging that authority,
although many make the mistake of thinking
tneir interests depend upon opposing it.
The greatest thing in the world does not
belong to the world.
The perseverance of the saints is God's perseverance
in the saints.